Corrugated carton



Dec. 22; 1953 B. ETRA ITAL CORRUGATED CARTON Filed March 9, 1950Patented Dec. 22, 1953 UNITED STATES; RATENT OFFICE 1i) Claims.

The present invention is directed to cartons, more particularly tocartons made oi corrugated paper material and intended to safely hold aplurality of articles, especially of fragile materials.

lt has long been custo-mary to provide corrugated boxes or cartonshaving spacers therein, between which various articles were placed. Sucharticles were of all types including glass jars, lamps, cans, ceramicsand bottles. Such cartons were generally of such .size and shape as tocarry a considerable number of such articles, the most popular bei-ng aset of twelve articles. Because of the necessity for using a number `ofspacers and `because of the necessity `for assembling .of the variousparts to form the completed .car-ton, .a considerable expense wasinvolved in such .assembly and in the storage of the parts thereof.Also, in shipment of the various elements of :the carton, .they had tobe separated and bundles of various sizes were necessary. Diliculty alsoarose in stacking of .the parts of -thecarton :because of the variousshapes and sizes of the parts.

The .present invention is intended and .adapted to overcome thelcliniculties and disadvantages inherent in 4prior .structures of the.type described, it being among the objects of `the present invention to.provide a .construe-tion of .carton which is simple vand which containsno more than two parts.

It is also ,among the objectsof the .present A,in-

vention to provide a carton or .the type described,

which is `adapted .for :use yin .carrying six .articles and up to twelveor more articles on a single level.

It is furtheramong :the -objectsof the .present invention to :provide astructure Aof the-type Ydescribed, `which may be readily ,assembledvwith a minimum of labor, in which Vthe yparts maybe stakedWithoutdifiiculty and in which thecompleted and packed cartons may bestacked to a considerable height without dangerlof the ystack shifting,`swaying 'or tumbling.

iln practicing the Lpresent invention, there is provided a blank zwhichis substantially rectangular and which is scored Aboth longitudinallyandlaterally, thereby vforming a pair of rend-pan.- elsandalternatingtherewith, a-pairof side panels arranged longitudinally of itheblank.Allfof the -panels have transverse extensions 4thereon along the:opposite.edgesthereof. These extensions are slittedinline with thescoring andthe extensions at the end panels are further -slitted soastobe bisected. -The extensions -at-the side panels have a plurality `oftransverse slitsl extending partly down Vsaid extensions. The number ofsuch slits determines the number of compartments to be formed. Both ofsaid extensions are scored longitudinally of the blank. There is alsoprovided a spacer which is a rectangullar piece of material having asuitable number Aof scorings transversely thereof, permitting thespacer` to be folded in zigzag fashion. The rectangular blank is foldedso" that the ends thereof meet and are secured together. Then the bottommembers are folded in and the spacer is introduced Vinto the ,centralportion of the carton. Next the top extensionsl and sectiene ,are foldedin Se as' t0 interlock with the spacer and with each other l?? vcompletetheca-rton. Such extensions land sections cooperate with the lspace;`forming ,complete compartments, each 0f which helas an article, and sucharticles are Aheld tightly against accidental movement du@ t0 bepaling.0f the garten, arid the dangc'f breakage is thereby minimized.'

In the accompanying drawing constituting a part hereof, and in lwhichlike referencecharaoters indicate like parts, l

`Fig. lis a plan" view of a blank made in accordance with the presentinvention'and adapted -to forrn a carton, Fig. 2 is a perspective Viewof the blank of Fig. l `folded in the initial step of forming-thecarton, and having the spacci" therein, v

Fig. `3 vis a fragmentaryperspective view of the central -portion of the-top of the carton illustrating the interlocking of the spacer and a topsection; and

Fig. 4 is .a perspective fragmentary view of a completed carton, someaparts being broken .away for clearness.

The blank shown in Fig. 1 is scored Yas .shown by the dotted lines toform a series v`of :panels including a relatively v`narrow end panel land adjacent .relatively :Wide side Panel f 2l Ian adiaeeet .end reeelincluding ,a Side parel@ These panels `are formed by scorin 5andf6l ,Endpanel I ,issllttedgas shoWn'.-at .l and scorings *.8 .and l8'longitudinally .Qf 'the :blanken provide ,at tgp and bottom- This.foris'eki'ehsienta? and Ill at .thetop andorresrondig xtensions 19'lvgmc l0' .at the bottom.

:Side paneI f2 .hasrexielldlne laterally therefrom a .pair .of sections,at the top and bottom. Said sections include portions I I and Il Vatthe .top and bottom, .produced :by scorings 8 .and g8', `respectively. Aseries `of transverse slits -l2 .and l2 provide apair yof relativelynarrow sections `assenso i3 and I3 at the central part of the extendingportion and relatively wider sections It and i4' on both sides ofportions I3 and I3. In the present case portions lll are approximatelydouble the Width of portions i3 and the latter are approximately thesame Width as extensions I0.

V'End panel 3 is provided vvith transverse slits i5 and I5 forming innerportions I and IB and outer portions I'I and II, equivalent tocorresponding elements in end panel I.

Side panel 4 is constructed similarly to side panel 2 and is providedwith transverse slits I8 and I8', forming relatively narrow centralsections I9 and i9 and relatively wide adjacent sections 2 and 2%'.Portions 2l and 2l are equivalent to portions II and Il' of panel 2.

Ends 22 of the blank are adapted to meet when the blank is folded alongscorings 6 to form a rectangular carton. Ordinarily the junction issealed by adhesive tape 23. However, there may be provided an integraltongue 23 which when the blank is folded will contact the inner face ofend panel I and form a seal.

The spacer is formed by transverse scorings into a wall 2li which formsa partition, a connecting section 25 which merges into a second Wall 26and which determines the Width of a central compartment. The end of wall26 merges into portion 2'! which in turn is merged into Wall 28. Portion21 determines the width 'of the compartment formed by Walls 26 and 28.

In assembling the carton the blank is folded as shown in Fig. 2 and tape23 secured along ends 22. The spacer 24-28 is inserted centrallythereof. The bottom of the container may then be formed by folding inmembers 9*-I and IiiI', after which sections li and 2l' are folded in sothat portions I4 and 2G thereof enter into slits and I5. Thereby the endcompartments of the carton are each divided into four sub-compartmentsadapted to hold four containers and the center is divided into foursub-compartments by the zigzag member. The cartons are then suppliedWith the articles and the top extensions and sections are folded inrespectively. It Will be noted that portions I3 straddle Walls 24, 26and 28 and thus firmly look all of the elements into position.

Although the invention has been described setting forth a single specicembodiment, it is understood that various additional changes in thedetails of construction may be made within the principles herein setforth, as for instance, in the size, shape and character of the severalelements and the materials used. The invention is, therefore, to bebroadly construed and to be limited only by the character of the claimsappended hereto.

We claim:

1. A carton comprising a substantially rectangular blank, said blankbeing scored longitudinally and laterally to form alternate end and sidepanels, said panels having a series of transverse extensions thereonalong opposite edges thereof, said extensions being slitted in alinementwith said lateral scorings, the extensions of said end panels beingslitted transversely, all of said extensions being scored transverselylongitudinally, said side panels having a plurality of transverse slitsextending from the edge to the scoring thereof, said slits being in thecentral portion only of said side panels and adapted to engage a zigzagspacer, said blank being folded with the opposite ends thereof incontact, one set of extensions on one side of said blank being folded 4,s in to form the bottom of said carton and the other set being folded into form the top of said carton, the slitted ends of said extensionsconstituting separators for containers held in said carton, and anupstanding spacer of zigzag form in the center of said carton, saidzigzag spacer terminating short of the ends of said carton to provideend spaces, the slitted ends of said side panels interlacing withY theends of said spacer, the ends of the extensions of said end panelsfitting into said end spaces to divide each of them into a plurality ofcompartments for said containers, the extensions of said opposite edgeswhen said carton is closed being in alinement and being spaced apart asubstantial distance While forming a series of compartments.

2. A carton comprising a substantially rectangular blank, said blankbeing scored longitudinally and laterally to form alternate end and sidepanels, said panels having a series of transverse extensions thereonalong opposite edges thereof, said extensions being slitted in alinementwith said lateral scorings, the extensions of said end panels beingslitted transversely to bisect the same, all of said extensions beingscored transversely longitudinally, said side panels having a pluralityof transverse slits extending from the edge to the scoring thereof, saidslits being in the central portion only of said side panels and adaptedto engage a zigzag spacer, said blank being folded with the oppositeends thereof in Contact, one set of extensions on one side of said blankbeing folded in to form the bottom of said carton and the other setbeing folded in to form the top of said carton, the slitted ends of saidextensions constituting separators for containers held in said carton,and an upstanding spacer of zigzag form in the center of said carton,said zigzag spacer terminating short of the ends of said carton toprovide end spaces, the slitted ends of said side panels interlacingwith the ends of said spacer, the ends of the extensions of said endpanels fitting into said end spaces to divide` each of them into aplurality of compartments for said containers, the extensions of saidopposite edges when said carton is closed being in alinement and beingspaced apart a substantial distance While forming a series ofcompartments.

3. A carton comprising a substantially rectangular blank, said blankbeing scored longitudinally and laterally to form alternate end and sidepanels, said panels having a series of transverse extensions thereonalong opposite Yedges thereof, said extensions being slitted inalinement With said lateral scorings, the extensions of said end panelsbeing slitted transversely, all of said extensions being scoredtransversely longitudinally to bisect the same, said side panels havinga plurality of transverse slits extending from the edge to the scoringthereof, said slits being in the central portion only of said sidepanels and adapted to engage a zigzag spacer, said blank being foldedwith the opposite ends thereof in contact, one set of extensions on oneside of said blank being folded in to form the bottom of said carton andthe other set being folded in to form the top of said carton, theslitted ends of said extensions constituting separators for containersheld in said carton, and an upstanding spacer-of zigzag form in thecenter of said carton, said zigzag spacer terminating short of the endsof said carton to provide end spaces, the slitted ends of said sidepanels interlacing with the ends of said spacer, the ends of theextensions of said end panels fitting into said end spaces to divideeach of them into a plurality of compartments for said containers, theextensions of said opposite edges when said carton is closed being inalinement and being spaced apart a substantial distance While forming aseries of compartments.

4. A carton comprising a substantially rectangular blank, said blankbeing scored longitudinally and laterally to form alternate end and sidepanelsy said panels Ahaving a series of transverse extensions thereonalong opposite edges thereof, said extensions being slitted in alinementwith said lateral scorings, the extensions of said end panels beingslitted transversely, all of said extensions being scored transverselylongitudinally, said side panels having a plurality of transverse slitsextending from the edge to the scoring thereof, said slits being in thecentral portion only of said side panels and adapted to engage a zigzagspacer, said transverse slits forming sections of various widths, thecentral sections being narroWer than the outer ones, said blank beingfolded with the opposite ends thereof in contact, one set of extensionson one side of said blank being folded in to form the bottom of saidcarton and the other set being folded in to form the top of said carton,the slitted ends of said extensions constituting separators forcontainers held in said carton, and an upstanding spacer of zigzag formin the center of said carton, said zigzag spacer terminating short ofthe ends of said carton to provide end spaces, the slitted ends of saidside panels interlacing with the ends of said spacer, the ends of theextensions of said end panels iitting into said end spaces to divideeach of them into a plurality of compartments for said containers, theextensions of said opposite edgeswhen said carton is closed being inalinement and being spaced apart a substantial distance While forming aseries of compartments.

5. A carton comprising a substantially rectangular blank, said blankbeing scored longitudinally and laterally to form alternate end and sidepanels, said panels having a series of transverse extensions thereonalong opposite edges thereof, said extensions being slitted in alinementwith said lateral scorings, the extensions of said end panels beingslitted transversely, all of said extensions being scored transverselylongitudinally, said side panels having a plurality of transverse slitsextending from the edge to the scoring thereof, said slits being in thecentral portion only of said side panels and adapted to engage a zigzagspacer, Said transverse slits forming two Acentral sections and tWoouter ones, the central sections being about one half the width of theouter ones, said blank being folded With the opposite ends thereof incontact, one set of extensions on one side of said blank being folded into form the bottom of said carton and the other set being folded in toform the top of said carton, the slitted ends of said extensionsconstituting separators for containers held in said carton, and anupstanding spacer of zigzag form in the center of said carton, saidzigzag spacer terminating short of the ends of said carton to provideend spaces, the slitted ends of said side panels interlacing With theends of said spacer, the ends of the extensions of said end panels ttinginto said end spaces to divide each of them into a plurality ofcompartments for said containers, the extensions of said opposite edgeswhen said carton is closed being in alinement and being spaced apart asubstantial distance While forming a series of compartments.

6. A carton comprising a substantially rectangular blank, said blankbeing scored longitudinally and laterally to form alternate end and sidepanels, said panels having a series of transverse extensions thereonalong opposite edges thereof, said extensions being slitted in alinementwith said lateral scorings, the extensions vofsaidend panels beingslitted transversely, all -of said-extensions being scored transverselylongitudinally, said side panels having a plurality of transverse slitsextending from the edge to the scoring thereof, saidslits being in thecentral portiononly-of said side panels and adapted to engage a zigzagspacer, said blank being folded with the opposite ends thereof incontact, one set of extensions 'on one side of said blank being foldedin to form the bottom of said carton and the other set being folded into form the top of said carton, the slitted ends of said extensionsconstituting separators for containers held in said carton, and anupstanding spacer of zigzag form in the center of said carton, saidzigzag spacer terminatingshort of the ends of said carton to provideendspaces,

the slitted ends of said side panels interlacing with tangular blank,said blank being scored longitudinally andV laterally to `form alternateend and side panels, said panels having a series of transverseextensions thereon along opposite edges thereof, said extensions beingslitted in alinement with said lateral scorings, the extensions of saidend panels being slitted transversely, all of said extensions beingscored transversely longitudinally, said side panels having a pluralityof transverse slits extending from the edge to the scoring thereof, saidslits being in the central portion only of said side panels and adaptedto engage a zigzag spacer, said blank being folded Withthe opposite endsthereof in contact, one set of extensions on one side of said blankbeing folded in to form the bottom of said carton and the other setbeing folded in to form the top of said carton, the slitted ends of saidextensions constituting separators for containers held insaid carton,and an upstanding spacer of zigzag form in the center of said carton,said zigzag spacer terminating short of the ends of said carton toprovide end spaces, the slitted ends of said side panels interlacingwith the ends of said spacer, the ends'of the extensions of said endpanels fitting into said ends spaces to divide each of them into aplurality of compartments for said containers, said spacer beingsubstantially rectangular and being scored transversely and folded toform a plurality of internal Walls, said end extensions terminatingshort of said spacer, the extensions of said opposite edges when saidcarton is closed being in alinement and being spaced apart a substantialdistance while forming a series of compartments.

8. A carton comprising a substantially rectangular blank,rsaid blankbeing scored longitudinally and laterally to form alternate end and sidepanels, said panels having a series of transverse extensions thereonalong opposite edges thereof, said extensions being slitted in alinementwith said lateral scorings, the extensions ofv said end panels beingslitted transversely, all of said extensions being scored transverselylongitudinally, said side panels having a plurality of transverse slitsextending from the edge to the scoring thereof, said slits being in thecentral portion only of said side panels and adapted to engage a zigzagspacer, said blank being folded with the opposite ends thereof inContact, one set of extensions on one side of said blank being folded into form the bottom of said carton and the other set being folded in toform the top of said carton, the slitted ends of said extensionsconstituting separators for containers held in said carton, and anupstanding spacer of zigzag form in the center of said carton, saidzigzag spacer terminating short of the ends of said carton to provideend spaces, the slitted ends of said side panels interlacing with theends of said spacer, the ends of the extensions of said end panelsf1tting into said end spaces to divide each of them into a plurality ofcompartments for said containers, said spacer being substantiallyrectangular4 and being scored transversely and folded to form aplurality of internal walls, said side extensions adapted to interlockwith the ends of said Walls, the extensions of said opposite edges whensaid carton isclosed being in alinement and being spaced apart asubstantial distance While forming a series of compartments.

9. A carton comprising a substantially rectangular blank, said blankbeing scored longitudinally and laterally to form alternate end and sidepanels, said panels having a series of transverse extensions thereonalong opposite edges thereof, said extensions being slitted in alinementwith said lateral scorings, the extensions of said end panels beingslitted transversely, all of said extensions being scored transverselylongitudinally, said side panels having a plurality of transverse slitsextending from the edge to the scoring thereof, said slits being in thecentral portion only of said side panels and adapted to engage a zigzagspacer, said blank being folded with the opposite ends thereof incontact, one set of extensions on one side of said blank being folded into form the bottom of said carton and the other set being folded in toform the top of said carton, the slitted ends of said extensionsconstituting separators for containers held in said carton, and anupstanding spacer of zigzag form in the center of said carton, saidzigzag spacer terminating short of the ends of said carton to provideend spaces, the slitted ends of said side panels interlacing With theends of said spacer, the ends of the extensions of said end panels ttinginto said end spaces to divide each of them into a plurality ofcompartments for said containers, said spacer being substantiallyrectangular and being scored el (l transversely and folded to form aplurality of internal walls, said Wider sections of the side extensionsadapted to interlock With the end extensions, the extensions of saidopposite edges when said carton is closed being in alinement and beingspaced apart a substantial distance While forming a series ofcompartments.

10. A carton comprising a substantially rectangular blank, said blankbeing scored longitudinally and laterally to form alternate end and sidepanels, said panels having a series of transverse extensions thereonalong opposite edges thereof, said extensions being slitted in alinementwith said lateral scorings, the extensions of said end panels beingslitted transversely, all of said extensions being scored transverselylongitudinally, said side panels having a plurality of transverse slitsextending from the edge to the scoring thereof, said slits being in thecentral portion only of said side panels and adapted to engage a zigzagspacer, said blank being folded with the opposite ends thereof incontact, one set of extensions on one side of said blank being folded into form the bottom of said carton and the other set being folded in toform the top of said carton, the slitted ends of said extensionsconstitutingr separators for containers held in said carton, a tonguealong one end of said blank, said tongue being bent and held Within saidcarton, and an upstanding spacer of zigzag form in the center of saidcarton, said zigzag spacer terminating short of the ends of said cartonto provide end spaces, the slitted ends of said side panels interlacingwith the ends of said spacer, the ends of the extensions of said endpanels iitting into said end spaces to divide each of them into aplurality of compartments for said containers, the extensions of saidopposite edges when said carton is closed being in alinement and beingspaced apart a substantial distance while forming a series ofcompartments.

BERNARD ETRA. IRVING ETRA.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,881,900 Oman et al Oct. 1l, 1932 1,925,298 Boeye Sept. 5,1933 2,330,345 Elliott Sept. 28, 1943 2,347,183 Crane Apr. 25, 19442,423,332 Mayer July 1, 1947 2,531,090 Turner Nov. 2l, 1950 FOREIGNPATENTS Number Country Date 13,463 Australia Jan. 4, 1929 397,047 GreatBritain Aug. 1'7, 1933

